Royal Caribbean

The Alaska Experience

Exploring the state’s magical allure.

For more than 28 years, Royal Caribbean has been traversing the waters of America’s most unspoiled region, introducing adventure-loving travelers from around the globe to some of the wonders of Southeast Alaska. In 2018, Radiance of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas continue the cruise line’s tradition, visiting towns and communities in regions so remote they can’t be reached by road.

In this part of the country, ships, boats, and ferries are the main modes of transportation and the Inside Passage is the highway. The remarkable route has been designated one of America’s National Scenic Byways by the US Department of Transportation. This cruise is your chance to enjoy the ride.

Alaska Facts

Total Area: 586,412 square miles. State Nickname: The Last Frontier. State Motto: North to the Future. Time Zone: Alaska Standard Time, one hour earlier than Pacific Standard Time. State Capital: Juneau. Largest City: Anchorage.

Humpback whales breach right off the coast in Alaska.

The Inside Passage

A scenic coastal route, the Inside Passage stretches for 500 miles along the western border of Southeast Alaska, a region also known as the Alaska Panhandle. It’s a mix of remote islands, fjords, tidal pools, and narrow waterways that formed millions of years ago as southbound glaciers carved out the land. Today, that land is blanketed by old-growth forests of hemlock, spruce, and cedar trees that are part of the world’s largest temperate rainforest. The islands to the west protect the passage from the rough waters of the open sea, creating ideal conditions for smooth sailing. Some 70,000 people live in the 33 communities along the Inside Passage, and the locals rely on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system to get around.

Did You Know?

Any voyage through the Inside Passage is a journey through the Tongass National Forest, which covers about 80 percent of Southeast Alaska. At 16.9 million acres, it’s the largest forest in the US National Forest System. It’s also the largest temperate rainforest in the world.

The narrow waterways are ideal for sightseeing.

Hubbard Glacier

As the largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier is also one of the most active, so visiting here is always exciting. All glaciers are technically flowing rivers of ice, and this particular one flows for 76 miles before meeting the sea in Disenchantment Bay, located at the head of Yakutat Bay. It’s almost eight miles wide at its widest point, making for a total of 1,350 square miles of bright-blue ice surging towards the Gulf of Alaska. When it meets the shoreline, apartment-building-sized chunks of ice calve and tumble to the sea—a glorious moment that Alaska Natives referred to as “white thunder.” Such an event might disturb the seals or seabirds resting on the small icebergs floating in the bay, adding even more excitement to the spectacle. The best spot to witness the glacier in action is on the helipad at the front of the ship. Wave to the captain on the bridge, where he and a team of officers are monitoring the waters and firing the engines to keep the ship positioned for optimal views. Bundle up, bring a camera, and prepare to be awed by one of the most amazing sights on the planet.

Did You Know?

Pods of orcas (killer whales) and humpback whales migrate to the cooler waters of Southeast Alaska to feed off the fish and marine life that abound here in the summer months.

For the best views, make the trip to the ship’s helipad.

Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glaciers

On itineraries sailing from Seattle, ships pass through the pristine tidewater of Tracy Arm Fjord about 50 miles south of Juneau. Nestled between dramatic 3,000-foot-tall granite walls framed by massive snowcapped mountains, the twisting waterway weaves through the Tongass National Forest for 25 miles. Step out onto the deck for an almost mythical experience. It’s nearly silent, save for the melody created by waterfalls cascading down the granite walls into the emerald-green waters dotted with chunks of floating ice. From rocky outcroppings, trees sprout at odd angles, growing to a timberline that reaches almost 1,500 feet. Toward the end of the fjord, the ship encounters the twin Sawyer Glaciers—massive rivers of ice in a brilliant shade of blue. Photos of these marvels promise to be a highlight of any vacation photo album.

Did You Know?

Alaska was a US territory for almost a century before it was admitted to the Union as the 49th state in 1959. The word “Alaska” comes from the Native word aleyska, meaning “great land.” Five percent of the state is covered by glaciers—that’s about 29,000 square miles of land blanketed by 100,000 glaciers. Glaciers may appear to be still, but they actually are flowing downhill out of mountains like rivers. This constant movement gives glaciers the power to shape landscapes—at glacial speeds, of course.

One Comment of “The Alaska Experience”

Angela
August 31, 2018 at 1:33 pm

Your RC team in Anchorage have been wonderful! From the young guy helping with luggage at the airport to the funny bus driver to Tammy at the Marriott (who suggested the BEST breakfast cafe EVER)! You’ve got a fantastic group of people!